On Sunday, around 60 Indian passengers traveling on Gulf Air flight GF 005 from Mumbai to Manchester were stranded at Kuwait International Airport for over 13 hours after their flight was diverted due to a technical snag. The passengers faced severe discomfort during the prolonged wait, as the airline failed to provide food, accommodation, or basic assistance.
The situation escalated when passengers took to social media to voice their grievances, prompting a response from the Indian Embassy in Kuwait. In a statement shared on X (formerly Twitter), the Embassy informed that the flight for the stranded passengers from Kuwait to Manchester was tentatively scheduled for 3:30 AM on December 2. Embassy officials were also present at the airport, providing updates to the passengers.
One of the stranded passengers, Arzoo Singh, described the ordeal, stating that after raising the issue online, senior officials from the Indian Embassy reached out to the stranded group. She added that arrangements were made to accommodate senior citizens and passengers with infants in a facility inside the airport, but there was no clear communication regarding the treatment of the rest of the passengers.
Singh also explained the confusion surrounding the transit visa situation: while UK and US passport holders were permitted to leave the airport due to the availability of a transit visa on arrival, Indian passport holders were not allowed to exit as they did not have a transit visa. This left many passengers stuck at the airport without any clear information or support.
In another social media post, passenger Shivansh expressed frustration, saying, “Reading Why Bharat Matters while getting stuck in Kuwait without any help. All British passport holders got their hotels sorted with on-arrival visas, while Indian passport holders have been left stranded without any info, food, or any kind of help.” He appealed for a visa to allow Indian passport holders to get a hotel and wait for the next flight.
The diversion of Gulf Air flight GF 005 to Kuwait caused significant delays, leading to distress among the passengers who were left without adequate assistance. Despite the challenges, the Indian Embassy in Kuwait continued to engage with both the airline and local authorities to help resolve the situation and ensure the safe departure of the stranded passengers.
